Scholars, Elite women still with plenty to play for

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 17 February 2017

Scholars' Arie Smith (7) and Elite's Showvon Ramos (14) during the semi-final 1st leg.

Scholars International and Elite Sports Club have all to play for when they face each other in the second leg of the CIFA Women’s President’s Cup semifinals on Saturday, 18 February, 2017.

The two West Bay-based clubs faced each other a week earlier at the Annex in a tight match decided by an injury time goal.

Scholars lacked penetration in the early going despite trying to keep up the pressure. A switch of personnel might have hampered their ability to attack the goal. Brittany Bodden, who has played well all season long, creating chances on the left wing with her speed, was moved to left back.

On the other end of the pitch, Elite couldn’t find a quality finish despite creating multiple chances spearheaded by captain Shanice Monteith.

: Brittany Bodden played left back for Scholars.

: Shanice Monteith spearheaded the Elite attack.

The game was scoreless after the first half and 25 minutes into the second, Scholars had their best chance to open their account when Arie Smith crossed to Bianca Hunt, who could only muster a tame attempt in the end.

Elite’s golden chance came in the 72^nd when Scholars keeper Kristina Seymour didn’t make a clean save on a shot from Monteith, but her defensive colleagues were there to bail her out.

Monteith continued to press ahead, knowing a single goal could make all the difference, but could not find the target on a couple of attempts as the clock ticked toward full time.

Both sides were desperate for a chance to edge ahead, and it was Arie Smith who made the most of it in the first minute of injury time, slotting one home to give Scholars the 1-0 win, and momentarily thinking it was enough to send her team into the finals. It might end up being, as it counts as an away goal.

There was some confusion pitch-side, as some of the clubs in the semi-finals were under the impression that only a single leg would be played. However, CIFA officials confirmed that a second leg would be played.

Brittni Ebanks scored Sunset’s fifth goal.

Earlier, Sunset FC pretty much secured themselves a place in the finals with a comfortable 5-1 win over Alliance FC. Elena Testori scored a first-half brace before Martha Hall and Lauren Scott gave Sunset a 4-0 halftime lead. Coach Alan Purvis turned to his bench in the second with the game already in hand. Brittni Ebanks added another for the winners, while Sabrina Suberan scored for Alliance.

All four teams are back in action this weekend for the second leg of the semifinals. Alliance FC and Sunset FC face each other at the Annex starting at 5:45 p.m., followed by Scholars International against Elite SC at 8:00 p.m.

The finals will be played on Ash Wednesday, 1 March.